How to apply for a US visa as an international student.
Visa & Immigration
Obtaining the appropriate student visa is a mandatory and critical step for any international student planning to pursue higher education in the United States. The F-1 visa is the primary nonimmigrant visa category for full-time academic or language students. The entire process begins only after an applicant has been accepted by a university certified by the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Student Visa Process
A student visa is required to travel to the U.S. for educational purposes. The process is structured and requires careful adherence to each step:
1. Get Accepted and Receive Form I-20: The F-1 student visa process officially commences upon acceptance to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified U.S. university. Once accepted, the university will register the student in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and issue a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status".
2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee: A mandatory fee of US$350 is required for F-1 students. This payment must be made upon receipt of the Form I-20 and prior to scheduling the visa appointment.
3. Complete the DS-160 Online Visa Application: All prospective international students must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. After successful submission, a confirmation page with a barcode must be printed to bring to the interview. The application fee for the DS-160 is US$185.
4. Schedule and Attend Your Visa Interview: Students should schedule an appointment for their visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. An F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the program start date listed on the I-20, but students are only permitted to enter the U.S. with an F-1 visa up to 30 days before this start date.
5. Entry into the U.S.: The final decision regarding admission into the United States is made by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official at the port-of-entry.
Documentation Required
Thorough preparation for the F-1 visa interview is paramount for a successful outcome. This includes gathering all necessary documents:
- Passport: A valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States.
- DS-160 Confirmation Page: The confirmation page for the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, featuring a barcode.
- Fee Receipts: The payment receipts for both the DS-160 application fee and the I-901 SEVIS fee.
- Photo: A recent passport-style photo that meets specific requirements.
- Form I-20: The original Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20) issued by the university.
- Academic Documents: Evidence of academic preparation, such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools attended, and standardized test scores required by the U.S. institution.
- Proof of Financial Ability: Documented evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover all educational and living costs for the duration of the studies.
- Proof of Ties to Home Country: Documents proving strong personal, professional, or economic ties to the home country to convince the consular officer of the intent to return after studies.
- Resume/CV: A resume or CV, which is required for the DS-160 application.
Visa Approval Rate & Timelines
The visa approval process can be challenging for international students.
- Approval Rate: F-1 visa rejections for Indian students have reached a decade-high. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the rejection rate was 41%. This means that out of approximately 6.79 lakh applications, over 2.7 lakh were denied;
- Processing Timelines: Wait times for visa interviews can vary significantly by location and season, so applying early is highly recommended. Interviews officially resumed in mid-June with the addition of mandatory social-media screening. The visa issuance timeline for new students can be up to 365 days before the program start date, but entry into the U.S. is not permitted more than 30 days before that date
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